Anesthesiologist Sexually Assaulted Unconscious Patient: Police

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — Coachella Valley authorities put out the call Thursday for additional victims of an anesthesiologist from San Diego County accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman under his care.

Leng Thai Ky, 40, previously worked at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs and the Desert Pain Clinic in Rancho Mirage, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department Investigator Josh Reinbolz.

Ky is being held at the George Bailey Detention Facility in San Diego on $5 million bail on suspicion of sexual battery, oral copulation with a drugged victim, sexual penetration with an unconscious victim, and other allegations, sheriff's officials said.

According to the Escondido Police Department, a female patient of Ky's contacted police on March 8 to report an alleged assault while she was unconscious.

Detectives "investigated the case throughout the weekend, gathering further evidence of the assault, and developed probable cause to arrest Ky," police said in a release, who added there was believed to be additional victims.

Police and personnel with the U.S. Marshals Service took Ky into custody on March 30.

Ky, who has been a doctor for about eight years, previously worked for Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, the North County Pain Institute and Sharp Community Medical Group, Graybill Medical Group, along with the Coachella Valley locations, according to police.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by the suspect is asked to Riverside County sheriff's investigators at 760-836-1634, or San Diego Police Department Detective Therese Ruiz at 760-839-4790. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by calling the Coachella Valley Crimes Stoppers at 760-341- STOP.